Sid McNeil (Director of Bands)
Sid McNeil is currently in his sixth year as Band Director at Olive Branch High School. Under his direction, the Olive Branch High School Band as received numerous superior ratings at MHSAA festivals, many best in class awards and grand championships, and his bands have grown tremendously in size. Most recently, the band was the featured band in the Walt Disney World’s “Magic Music Days” parade down Main Street in Magic Kingdom. Also, the Olive Branch Symphonic, Concert and Jazz bands all won 1st place in their divisions at the “Music in the Parks” competition at Six Flags over Georgia. The Symphonic Band was awarded Grand Champion of the band competition. He is also the Director of Music at Boulevard Baptist Church in Southaven. Prior to coming to Olive Branch High School, Mr. McNeil taught five years at Cleveland High School where, under his direction, the band received all superior ratings in both marching and concert bands and doubled in size. He was also the music director for Immanuel Baptist Church in Cleveland for five years. Mr. McNeil grew up in Decatur, MS and attended high school at Decatur High School. He received his Associates degree from East Central Community College under the direction of Mr. Tom Carson. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Delta State University under the direction on Mr. Gary Cook. He received his Master of Music Education degree from Delta State University under the direction of Mr. Ken Lewis. He was the recipient of the A.E. McClain Outstanding Young Band Director’s Award presented by the Mississippi Bandmasters Association in 1999. Mr. McNeil is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Theta Kappa, Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Lambda, Mississippi Bandmasters Association, past president of the I-55 Band Association and the Hernando-Desoto Band Association. Mr. McNeil has served as a clinician and adjudicator for various events throughout the Southern United States. Last summer he served as assistant concert director for the Mississippi Lion’s All-State Band – one of his life-long dreams. He is married to a lovely wife, Andrea, who is an attorney at Baskin, McCarroll, McCaskill & Campbell in Southaven, and a father to a wonderful son, Lee, born January 28, 2008, and a wonderful dog, Petey.
Aaron Bailey (Assistant Director of Bands / Marching)
Aaron Bailey is currently in his third year a member of the Olive Branch staff, and first year as the director of Olive Branch Middle School Band. After graduation from Senatobia High School in 2001, he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Mississippi under the direction of Mr. David Wilson where he was a member of the Pride of the South Marching Band, University Wind Ensemble, and The Mississippians Jazz Band. Mr. Bailey studied
saxophone for six years with Dr. Wade Irvin, as well as clarinet and bassoon.
Jim Mayo (Assistant Director of Bands / Percussion)
Jim Mayo is currently in his ninth year with the Olive Branch Bands. As a former member, he is proud of the progress the program has experienced in recent years. Mr. Mayo is a 1995 graduate of Olive Branch High School. After attending Northwest Community College, he transferred to Delta State University where he received his Bachelors in Music Education in the Spring of 2000. Mr. Mayo's student teaching experience was with the Southaven band program. Before graduating, he taught percussion camps for the Hernando, Cleveland and McNairy Central band programs. Adjudication experience includes solo and ensemble festivals and marching band contests in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. In addition he has been the percussion chair for numerous honor bands in Mississippi. Mr. Mayo has held the offices of Vice-President and President for the Hernando Desoto Band Directors' Association and is currently serving as the Vice-President of the I-55 Band Directors' Association. He is also a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity. After eight years as the head middle school director for the Olive Branch Bands, he is now on staff as high school assistant for the program. Mr. Mayo resides in Olive Branch with his wife Kathryn of seven years and his four year old son, Drew.
Marie Pokorski (Assistant Director of Bands / Colorguard
Marie is a horn player from West Memphis, AR and is joining us for her first year as assistant band director at Olive Branch Middle School. She graduted in 2001 from Marion High School in Marion, AR and went on to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR to begin her degree in Music Education. Marie served as drum major of the "Bear Marching Band" for four years. In 2006, Marie graduated and went to serve as middle school band director/asst. band director in Forrest City, AR. In 2007 she returned to UCA to finish her Masters degree in Wind Conducting and served as the graduate assistant of the "Bear Marching Band", as well as being a member of the Wind Ensemble and UCA Orchestra. Marie is on staff at the Frontlines Auxiliary Camp in Walnut Ridge, AR as drum major instructor, and has also been a member of Team SWAG at the Bands of America Summer Symposium in Bloomington, IL. She continues to adjudicate drum majors at contests throughout Arkansas and Tennessee. She is currently engaged and will be married to her fiance, Brian Millikin in November of this year. Marie is excited to join the OB Team and is looking forward to an awesome year!
Martha Strong - High Brass
Sheri Mealer - Woodwinds